Six years after border clash, Modi and Xi talk peace and trade at Brics summit

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre) shares a light moment with China’s President Xi Jinping (right) and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (left) during the 18th Brics Summit in New Delhi on September 12, 2026. Indian Press Information Bureau handout pic via AFP

First Published: Sunday, 13 Sep 2026 11:06 AM MYT

HYDERABAD, Sept 13 — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that “differences should not become disputes” as they met on the sidelines of the Brics Summit in New Delhi on Saturday.

The two leaders welcomed the steady progress in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Tianjin in August 2025, India’s External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

“They reaffirmed that both countries should take a strategic and long term perspective of their ties. Differences should not become disputes,” it said, adding that Modi emphasised that India-China relations must be guided by “mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.”

Xi’s previous visit to India was in October 2019 for an informal summit with Modi in Mamallapuram, near Chennai.

However, relations became strained following a military clash in 2020 along the disputed border.

The two sides have since considerably improved their relations through talks involving senior military and political leaders, while trade has grown significantly in recent years.

The Indian Prime Minister emphasised that “peace and tranquility in the border areas remains an essential basis for the continued development of bilateral relations,” the ministry said.

“He underlined the need for both sides to observe existing agreements and understandings on border related issues. The two leaders expressed commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question, proceeding from the political perspective of their overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples,” it said.

The talks also covered efforts to enhance cultural exchanges and business linkages, while the two sides agreed to address each other’s concerns over trade imbalances, supply chain issues and market access.

India recorded a trade deficit of US$112.1 billion (RM456.6 billion) with China out of total bilateral trade of US$151.1 billion (RM615.7 billion) in 2025-26, according to government data.

China will assume the Brics chairmanship next year and host the 19th Brics Leaders’ Summit. — Bernama